About Me

I have been working in the courthouse since 1989 searching real estate titles and dabbling in genealogy. In the past years I have assisted my husband in making a movie and working on other movie projects.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Last weekend my husband and I attended Fort Nashborough Day July 23, 2011 which was sponsored by the Metro Historical Commission, Daughters of the American Revolution, Metro Board Parks and Recreation and Historical Nashville, Inc. Below are some of the pictures we took. I will post more pictures tomorrow.

Monday, July 25, 2011

As we know Field Jefferson moved to Lunenburg County, Virginia, but I do not have the exact date. Lunenberg County was formed in 1746. He owned land near the Roanoke River. The area of land in which Field Jefferson lived was later Mecklenburg County. Mecklenburg County was formed in the year of Field's death in 1765. As we know, he married Frances Robertson in 1732 and they had eight children. The Children's names were Thomas born in 1733, Peterfield in 1735, Elizabeth in 1736, Frances in 1738,George in 1739, Mary in 1740, Judith in 1741, John Robertson in 1742 and Phoebe in 1743. His wife Frances and the mother of all of his children died in 1750 at the age of 44.
Field owned a large farm which some say he called Occoneechee after the Indian Tribe that had inhabited the area. During his life in Lunenburg County, Field ran a Ferry on the Roanoke River which was sometimes called the "Church" Ferry. It was located near the church and on Sundays the Ferry was free to ride. He also served as a Sheriff, a list taker for Tithes, and a vestryman for Lunenberg County.
Three years after the death of his first wife, he married again. He was married to Mary Hunt Ming Allen, widow, on October 31, 1753. They signed a prenuptial agreement before marrying in which they agreed that all his positions would go to his children at the time of his death and not to her.
He died on February 16, 1765 and he is buried at Saint James Episcopal Church in Boydton, Virginia.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Field Jefferson was born on March 6, 1702 to Thomas Jefferson II and Mary Field Jefferson at Jefferson's Landing now known as Osborne's Landing in Henrico County, Virginia now Chesterfield County, Virginia. This is the Tidewater area near the Pennisulas divided by the Potomac, the Rappahannock, the York and the James River. The 19th century historian John Fiske called it a "sylvan venus". Among these rivers lived the wealthy planters of the 19th century known as the Byrds, the Randolphs, the Harrisons, the Carters and the Pages along with others of note. The life of this planter aristocracy revolved around parties, balls, horse racing, games, visiting and being visited and weddings which drew together many relatives and neighbors. In Williamsburg which was approximately 50 miles from Jefferson's Landing there were many diversions which included one of the first theatres in the country. Philip Fithian, a teacher and minister observed that "Virginia ladies and gentlemen were of genuine blood. They would dance or die" Field's father Thomas was not of the ultra wealthy aristocracy, but he did as they say,"hobnob" with them, which was a great advantage for their family.
Field was the third child of Thomas. He had an older sister Judith that was born in 1698, a brother Thomas who was born in 1700 and Peter was born in 1707, Mary 1709 and Martha after 1709. Thomas was the oldest son which meant that the family expectations were with him. He probably received the most educational training and support from the family. This is not to say that the other children were treated ill, but that the oldest son had to be trained to take over the family plantation or business. Their family also attended church and were instrumental in the church activities as we discovered that Field's father helped build a church which many people called, "Jefferson's Church". It was an Anglican Church and the Reverend during Field's time was the Reverend George Robertson.
In 1723 the family suffered a loss when Thomas, Field's brother, died while on a ship which was commanded by Isham Randolph. Isham Randolph's daughter Jane would later become the wife of Field's brother Peter. This left Field to become the oldest son of the family, but there is no mention of any responsibilities of any inheritance that he received because of this. As of matter of fact, Peter was the executor of his father's estate and not Field. Mainly, there was no great inheritance because his father had suffered a reversal of fortune over six years before due to a fire and the home had an attachment against it which was ordered by the Court. However, Field was left land by his mother's family and that was where he was living at the time of his father's death in 1731. His younger brother did receive land from his father and that was where he resided at the time of his father's death.
I know that many of us would like to know how our ancestors looked. I can assume that Field was probably a big, strong man. I assume this because his brother Peter was described as a man of huge stature and legendary strength or in another book he was described as a large and powerful man. I found these references in Thomas Jefferson a Life by Willard Sterne Randall and Jefferson the Virginian by Dumas Malone. I also found a reference in Genealogies of Virginia Families from the William and Mary Quarterly Volume III page 161 describing one of the future Jefferson children named Peter Field Jefferson as a man of prodigious strength and about him many tales survive. Now this Peter Field Jefferson was the grandson of Field Jefferson. He was the son of John Robertson Jefferson. Now it stands to reason that unless Field was the runt of the family that he too was a large powerful man. I cannot rely on the pictures of Thomas Jefferson the President because he was said to resemble the Randolph family.
So we have Field Jefferson living in what was then Henrico County, Virginia at the time of his father's death at 1731. On April 10, 1732 he married Frances Robertson. Unfortunately I can find no definitive information on her family. Some say that she was the child of Field's Minister, George Robertson, but until I have further information this is only conjecture. It may be that they waited to marry until 1732 due to his father's death. It would have not been right and proper to hold a celebration in the year's of his father's death. Many of the family trees contain the information that Frances' first name was Mary, but I am of the opinion that there has been a confusion with Field's second wife Mary.

So begins Field's great adventure. This was a child born in some privilege living among and socializing with the stellar members of the Virginia Aristocracy. He could have stayed on the land that was given to him, but he made a decision to make his mark in life as you will see.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Lunenberg Deed Book 3 page 349
August 7, 1753
We, Field Jefferson, David Garland and Thomas Hawkins of Lunenberg County are bound to the King in the sum of 1000 pounds sterling, which payment to be made, we bind ourselves this August 7, 1753. The condition of this obligation is that, Whereas Field Jefferson has been appointed Sheriff of Lunenberg, if Jefferson shall render to the auditor and receivor general of his Majesty's Revenue, a true account of all his Majesty's rent and dues in Lunenburg and also do payment of all matters relating to said office, then this obligation become void. Signed Field Jefferson Thomas Hawkins David Garland.

I have been trying to prove that Field's first wife was the daughter of the Reverend George Robertson of Bristol Parish because I have read a few articles which mention that fact, but give no proof. I just finish reading a book about the Reverend George Robertson and no mention was made of a daughter of his and Field Jefferson.

Friday, July 15, 2011

I. Whereas it is represented to this present General Assembly, that public ferries, at the places hereafter mentioned, will be of great service to travellers and others.

II. BE it therefore enacted, by the Lieutenant Governor, Council and Burgesses, of this present General Assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That public ferries be constantly kept at the following places,....From the land of Field Jefferson, on the north side of Roanoke, In Lunenberg County, to the land opposite thereto, the price for a man, four pence, and for an horse the same. For every coach, chariot, or wagon and the driver thereof, the same as for six horses; For every cart, or four wheeled chaise, and the driver thereof, as for four horses; For every two wheeled chaise or chair, as for two horses; For every hogshead of tobacco, as for one horse: For every head of nett cattle, as for one horse: For every sheep, goat, or lamb, one fifth part of the ferriage of one horse: And for every hog, one fourth part of the ferriage of one horse; according to the prices herein before settled at such ferries, respectively, and no more.

From the Book Early Settlers of Mecklenburg County, Virginia compiled by Katherine B. Elliott

page 19 and 20

Deed Book 4 page 337 Dated April 26, 1756 Recorded November 4, 1756

Robert Wooding of Halifax County to Field Jefferson of Lunenburg County

consideration 400 pounds

200 acres on both sides of Smith's Creek, adjoining the county line, purchased by Wooding of William King; also 245 acres on Taylor's Creek purchased of Joseph Hix; 400 acres on Wynn's Creek in Halifax County purchased of William Harris of Lunenburg County; 400 acres in Halifax County purchased of Thomas Finney; 400 acres on Cherry Stone Creek in Halifax County.

Sealed Robert Wooding

Witnesses: John Camp, William (X) Coventon, Hugh (HM) McCoy

Robert Wooding was indebted to John Hood, Merchant, of Prince George County with Field Jefferson as the guarantor, or endorser, mortgage was given to Field Jefferson, who agreed to pay the debt by September 8, 1756 for Wooding.

page 88

Deed Book 1 page 89 Dated December 18, 1764 Recorded July 8, 1765

Field Jefferson and Peter Field Jefferson to George Jefferson all of St. James Parish, Lunenburg County

consideration 250 pounds,

44 acres on north side of Roanoke River being 40 acres given to Peter Field by his father on September 28, 1762 and 4 acres reserved by Field Jefferson at the Ferry Landing. Land adjoins land of Hutchins Burton

Signed and Sealed: Field Jefferson and Peter Field Jefferson

Witnesses: John Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson, Robt. (X) Lark,

page 89

Deed Book 1 page 92 Dated December 16, 1764 Recorded July 8, 1765

Field Jefferson of St. James Parish, Lunenburg County, to George Jefferson

consideration: 100 pounds

1/2 acre on south side of Roanoke River, being part of land purchased from Andrew Hampton, includes Ferry Landing.

Signed and sealed Field Jefferson

Witnesses: John Jefferson Thomas Jefferson

Robt(X) Lark

Page 89

Deed Book 1 page 93 Dated April 16, 1765 Recorded: July 8, 1765

Peter Field Jefferson to George Jefferson

consideration 100 pounds

20 acres on north side of Roanoke River, being part of land given to Peter Field by his father by deed dated September 28, 1762.

Signed and Sealed Peter Field Jefferson

Witnesses:

William Wrenn

John Jefferson

Robert (X) Lark

Life by the Roaring Roanoke by Susan L. Bracey

page 40

For many years there was no church south of the Roanoke, and it was necessary for the citizens to cross over from the south side by ferry to attend a church. Roanoke Church, the only church south of the Mehirrin for twelve or thirteen years and the only one in its immediate area for a longer time, quite naturally was attended by these people, as well as by others from miles around on the north side of Roanoke. For two years there was no public ferry across the Roanoke, so the southsiders had to cross by the private boat or at fords. Then Keith's Ferry was established near the Horse Ford. Two years later the license to operate it was given to Martha Alexander who apparently ran it for six years. Then, in 1746/47 its license was awarded to Thomas Twitty. This ferry was situated approximately eleven or twelve miles east of Roanoke Church and was the only publicly licensed ferry on the Virginia part of the Roanoke until April 1747. At that time Field Jefferson was granted the right to keep a ferry at a location roughly south of Roanoke Church. It was, purposefully, convenient to the church. Prior to its establishment, most of the upper or western-most inhabitants on the south side of the river would probably have continue to make their own ways across, because of Horse Ford Ferry was just too far downstream to have been of service to most of them. When Jefferson's Ferry was established, however, ferriage on it was made free on Sundays, and the people used it rather than to transport themselves. As a result of this practice, it was sometimes referred to as the Church Ferry. For such transportion, the vestry compensated its owner.

Page 47

The Sheriffs of Lunenburg provide an excellent example of what was occurring throughout the state. There are repeated entries in the order books revealing mistakes made by various sheriffs over the years, which indicate either negligence or dishonesty. In 1753 James Mitchell had failed to account for 34,865 pounds of tobacco. Later he was found guilty of making false returns. Sheriff Field Jefferson in 1755 was fined fifty shillings by the colony for "Deficiency, Messizances and neglects" in his office. On several occasion he and other sheriffs were sued by fellow citizens. These suits probably arose from their improper collections of the tobacco normally used for the payment of taxes or fees.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Today I am going to post pictures about Abraham Lincoln's grandfather. Back in June I was in Louisville, KY and I found the Long Run Graveyard. It is setting on property that once belonged to Abraham Lincoln's grandfather who also happened to be named Abraham Lincoln. To avoid confusion I am going to call Abraham Lincoln's grandfather Abraham Sr. Abraham Sr migrated to Kentucky from Rockingham County, Virginia in 1782. He bought four hundred acres which was located near Hughes Station in eastern Jefferson County, Kentucky. There he settled with his wife Bathsheba and their five children Mordecai, Thomas, Josiah, Mary and Nancy.

In May of 1786, Abraham the senior was planting his crops, possibly corn, when the small homestead was attacked by a Indian War Party. Abraham the senior was killed with the first shots. Josiah ran to Hughes Station to get help. Mordecai rushed to the cabin to get weapons. Thomas stood by his father in shock. An Indian crept close to Thomas. Whether he was going to kill Thomas or kidnap him we will never know because Mordecai took careful aim and killed the Indian. The rest of the family survived the attack. Thomas Lincoln married Nancy Hanks. They would be the parents of the 16th president of the United States.